Range: In North America, regular off Atlantic Coast from Florida to New England; rare along Gulf Coast and inland. Breeds on islands in Hawaii, Japan, the Galapagos, Spain, and Africa.

Identification: (Oceanodroma castro)

A relatively large, dark storm-petrel. Adult is blackish-brown overall, with a U-shaped white band across the upper rump and some white on undertail coverts, light upperwing coverts, square tail, and thin, black bill. Like other storm-petrels, feeding flight is fluttering, often pattering surface of water with feet. Band-rumped flies less erratically than other storm-petrels. Similar Wilson's Storm-Petrel is smaller, shorter-winged, shows more extensive white on undertail, and has paler wing coverts.

Length: 23 (cm)
Wingspan: 43 (cm)

Habitat:

Open ocean, rarely seen from shore.

Behavior:

Breeds colonially on islands, visiting nest site at night. Lays one egg in a nest burrow. Sometimes follows fishing boats.